The Green Willow Tree- Wehman's Universal Songster (NY) 1889
[Wehman's Universal Songster, by the Henry J. Wehman publishing company of New York and Chicago, was published in 61 volumes of song texts between 1884 and 1889. This is Volume 24, #17.
R. Matteson 2014]
THE GREEN WILLOW TREE
There was a ship that sailed from South America [1],
Known by the name of the Green Willow Tree,
As she sailed in the lowlands, lowlands lowey,
As she sailed in the lowlands low.
Short time had she been sailing, dauntless and free,
When there hove in sight a Turkish robery,
As she sailed in the lowlands, lowlands lowey,
As she sailed in the lowlands low.
Up steps the captain, saying, what shall we do?
Yonder is a Turkish robery;
She will sink us in the lowlands, lowlands lowey,
Sink us in the lowlands low.
Forward there came one of the captain's boys,
Saying, what will you give to me
If I sink them in the lowlands lowey,
Sink them in the lowlands low?
I will give you gold and will then set you free,
Besides my youngest daughter your wedded wife to be,
If you will sink them in the lowlands lowey,
Sink them in the lowlands low.
At once he took the task and away swam he,
And soon reached the Turkish robery [2].
Where they had anchored in the lowlands lowey,
Anchored in the lowlands low.
He had a little instrument just fitted for the use,
With which he cut some gashes and let in a sluice,
As they lay at anchor in the lowlands lowey,
At anchor in the lowlands low.
Some with their hats and some with their caps,
All tried their best to stop those water gaps
As they were sinking in the lowlands lowey,
Sinking in the lowlands low.
His task being accomplished, back swam he,
And soon regained the Green Willow Tree,
Where she was sailing in the lowlands lowey,
Sailing in the lowlands low.
He hailed the captain- will you keep your word?
Will you lay to and take me on board?
Or will you sink me in the lowlands lowey,
Sink me in the lowlands low?
No, I will not be as good as my word,
I will not lay to and take you on board,
But I will sink you in the lowlands lowey,
Sink you in the lowlands low.
If it were not for the guards you have on board,
I'd leave you just the same, I would upon my word,
I would sink you in the lowlands lowey,
Sink you in the lowlands low.
His appeals were useless and away swam he,
Bidding an adieu to the Green Willow Tree,
As he was sinking in the lowlands lowey,
Sinking in the lowlands low.
1. Amerikee
2. Robbery, for robber- it was a sailing ship name.